SoCal theater, Nov. 19-26: ‘Mamma Mia!,’ Alex Edelman’s ‘Just for Us’ and more
SoCal theater, Nov. 19-26: ‘Mamma Mia!,’ Alex Edelman’s ‘Just for Us’ and more
Theatre, musicals, cabaret, drag, comedy, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, books & lit and more for LA & OC
Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting live events on local stages all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.
And watch out for TV or Not TV’s supersized roundup of holiday shows — “Christmas Carols,” “Nutcrackers,” “Messiahs,” etc. — coming soon to an inbox near you!
Theater
New shows…
‘Mamma Mia’ The hit romantic musical set to the songs of Swedish pop group ABBA returns. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 14 thru Dec. 3. $45 and up; recommended for ages 6 and up; ages 5 and younger will not be admitted. (323) 468-1770. broadwayinhollywood.com
‘The Half-Light’ Theatre 40 stages the West Coast premiere of Monica Wood’s new dramedy about overcoming grief and finding human connection. Mary Levin Cutler Theatre, Beverly Hills High School, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 16 thru Dec. 17. $35. (310) 364-0535. theatre40.org
‘Radical or, are you gonna miss me?’ IAMA Theatre Company presents this new drama by Isaac Gómez about a fractious Mexican American family divided by politics. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 only; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and Mondays; 2 p.m. Sundays; Nov. 16 thru Dec. 11. $40. (323) 380-8843. iamatheatre.com
‘A Family Business’ A couple hosts a dinner party for their respective parents in Matt Chait’s new comedy. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 17 thru Dec. 31; dark Dec. 22-24. $35. onstage411.com
‘Millennium Magic 2023’ Top magicians and illusionists perform in this three-day showcase; for ages 4 to adult. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 17-18; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. $25-$50. (323) 851-7977. theatrewest.org
‘Turkeys! The Musical’ The truth about Thanksgiving proves hard to swallow for our fine feathered friends in the return of Ian Michaels’ hit musical comedy. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Nov. 17 thru Dec. 2. $20, $25. zombiejoes.com
‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ The Porters of Hellsgate open their season with Shakespeare’s fable about an arranged marriage gone wrong. The Broadwater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. $10, $15. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 18 thru Dec. 3; also 8 p.m. Nov. 21 and 30. $10, $15. portersofhellsgate.com
‘Frozen Fluid’ Gender identity, climate change and more are explored in this new Antarctica-set fable by Fly Jamerson and presented by Coeurage Ensemble; appropriate for all ages. Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 18 thru Dec. 17; also 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20; no shows Nov. 24-26 and 30. 30–$45; limited pay what you want tickets available for each performance. coeurage.org
‘Malevolent Entity: The Baby Doll Session’ Gather ’round for a theatrical séance — if you dare! — in this intimate, immersive experience for ages 18+ only. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. $25. zombiejoes.com
‘Dog Man: The Musical’ He’s half canine, half cop and he’s here to take a bite out of crime in this tune-filled tale based on the bestselling children’s book series by Dav Pilkey. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Various dates & times, Nov. 21 thru Jan. 7. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
Continuing...
‘ABCD: American Born Confused Desi’ Three generations of Indian American women share life’s ups and downs in this one-act dramedy by Lily Abha Cratsley. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 11 thru 19. $25 and up. (323) 673-0544. GreenwayCourtTheatre.org
‘Alex Edelman’s Just for Us’ The millennial comic tackles anti-Semitism in his hit theatrical show. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10 thru 26. $40-$150. centertheatregroup.org
‘Baby Foot’ Two troubled people in rehab make a connection in Tim Venable’s drama. Rogue Machine, Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Fridays, 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays thru Nov. 20. $20-$35; pay what you can Fridays, Nov. 10 and 17 ($20 and up). (855) 585-5185. roguemachinetheatre.org
‘Beautiful: The Carole King Story’ Tony-winning bio-musical about the singer-songwriter who found solo success with her Grammy-winning 1971 album “Tapestry.” La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 11 thru Dec. 3; also 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22; no performances 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23. $19-$90. (562) 944-9801. LaMiradaTheatre.com
‘The BFF: Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre’ Comedies, dramas, solo shows, standup, etc. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Various times thru Nov. 19. Free; reservations required. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Birds of North America’ A father and daughter find common ground through bird-watching in Anna Ouyang Moench’s two-hander. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays thru Nov. 19. $25-$40; Mondays, pay what you will. (310) 477-2055. OdysseyTheatre.com
‘Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green’ J. Alphonse Nicholson reprises his off-Broadway role in the West Coast premiere of Howard L. Craft’s fable about a Black everyman’s travels through time. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and Mondays; 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 12 thru Dec. 16. $25-$45. fountaintheatre.com
‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ Kentwood Players presents a double-cast staging of the Tony-winning musical comedy. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10 thru Dec. 9; dark Nov. 24-26. $26, $30. (310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org
‘Inherit the Wind’ Alfred Molina heads the cast of a reimagined version of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s classic drama about the controversial 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial and the teaching of evolution in public schools; onstage courtroom-style seating available. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, extended thru Dec. 3. $35 and up. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
‘The Jewish Dog’ Roy Abramsohn stars in this Holocaust-themed fable told from the perspective of a family’s beloved pet; for ages 10 and older. The Wallis’ Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 9 thru 19; added 2:30 p.m. performance Saturday, Nov. 18. $29, $39. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org
‘Lewis and Tolkien’ “Chronicles of Narnia” author C.S. Lewis and “Lord of the Rings’” J.R.R. Tolkien converse in Dean Batali’s new drama. Actors Co-op Theatre Company, Crossley Theater, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, other dates thru Dec. 3. $25-$35. (323) 462-8460. ActorsCo-op.org
‘Love, Sex, and Misery’ The ins and outs of human relationships are explored in short plays by Jeff Gould and Jake Gould; contains mature themes. 905 Cole Theatre, 905 N. Cole Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays thru Dec. 10; dark Thanksgiving weekend. $40. onstage411.com
‘Mama Mama Can’t You See’ Coin & Ghost stages this fantastical new tale co-written by Stan Mayer and Cecilia Fairchild and based on Mayer’s experiences as a Marine in combat; contains graphic language and imagery; for ages 16 and older. Studio/Stage, 520 N. Western Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10 thru Dec. 10. $5-$35. (818) 925-4928. coinandghost.org
‘Methusalem or The Eternal Bourgeois’ Ivan Goll’s 1920s-era German Expressionist fable. Actors’ Gang Theater, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 9 p.m. Saturdays thru Dec. 16. $25, $34.99; pay what you can, Thursdays beginning Oct. 26. (310) 838-4264. theactorsgang.com
‘Outrage’ An acting teacher finds himself on the wrong side of cancel culture in Allen Barton’s new drama. Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays thru Nov. 19. $15, $35. (323) 657-5992. crimsonsquare.org
‘Rotterdam’ The Wayward Artist stages Jon Brittain’s award-winning comedy about two lesbians whose relationship takes an unexpected turn. Grand Central Arts Center, 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10 thru 19. $25, $35. (657) 205-6273. thewaywardartist.org
‘Science Fiction’ Two botanists toil away on one of Jupiter’s moons in this new sci-fi/horror fable by Whit Flint. The Boxie Studio, 1500 S. Los Angeles St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 9 thru 19. $25. riotacttheatre.org
‘70, Girls, 70’ The Group Rep stages the Kander & Ebb musical comedy about senior citizens banding together to save their home. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Nov. 10 thru Dec. 17; dark Nov. 17-19. $35, $40. (818) 763-5990. thegrouprep.com
‘She’ A Black teen tries to escape small-town life in Marlo Wyatt’s drama. Antaeus Theatre, 110 E. Broadway, Glendale. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays thru Nov. 20. $40. (818) 506-1983. antaeus.org
‘Spring Awakening’ East West Players stages the Tony-winning coming-of-age rock musical. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo, downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays, now extended thru Dec. 19. $39-$69. (213) 625-7000. eastwestplayers.org
‘The Talented Tenth’ A Black radio executive faces challenges in his personal and professional lives in the Robey Theatre Company’s staging of Richard Wesley’s 1989 drama. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 11 thru Dec. 10; dark Nov. 23. $25-$50. (213) 489-7402. therobeytheatrecompany.org
‘A View from the Bridge’ Arthur Miller’s classic American drama. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays thru Nov. 19. $25-$35; discounts available. (310) 397-3244. ruskingrouptheatre.com